Page 90 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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D: SAT Words
determine (di TOER min) vt. 1. to set limits to; to bound; define; 2. to settle a 81
dispute, question, etc.; to decide; 3. to come to a conclusion; 4. to assign direction to
• A chain-link fence determines the boundaries of many city playgrounds.
• A meeting between the two contenders should determine once and for all
the true heavyweight champion.
• The jury has to determine whether the defendant is innocent, or guilty as
charged.
• The prevailing winds will determine where the balloon goes.
[-d, determining] [Syn. decide, learn]
detract (dee TRAKT) vt. 1. to take or draw away (from); 2. to belittle; disparage
—vi. to remove something desirable (from)
• We must not detract strength from his argument.
• Do not detract the importance of following one’s heart.
• Frowning detracts from her beauty.
[-ed, -ing, -or n.]
development (di VEL uhp mint) n. 1. a growing or expanding (in size,
strength, etc.); 2. a step or stage in growth, advancement, etc.; 3. an event or an
occurence; 4. a number of buildings on a large tract of land
• Ned’s development of his muscles is impressive.
• Development of the Polaroid picture is easy to see, as the image gains in def-
inition before your eyes.
• What a revolting development this is!
• The new housing development will occupy 40 acres.
[-al adj., -ally adv.]
diagnosis (DY uhg NOH sis) n. 1. the act of finding or classifying a condition
by means of medical examination, lab tests, etc.; 2. a careful studying and analyz-
ing of the facts to understand or explain something; 3. a decision or opinion based
on such an analysis
• The diagnosis of strep infection came after the throat culture returned from
the lab.
• Before we can diagnose your business’s problems, we must analyze your
clientele, your expenditures, and your suntan.
• Steve’s diagnosis of the cause of the computer’s strange graphics was the
Rhino virus, which put a horn on every image’s nose.
digression* (dy GRESH in) n. 1. an act of straying from the main theme or idea
when talking or writing; 2. a temporary straying from the main theme
• During Bill’s discussion of bridge designing came a 10-minute-long digres-
sion about his love of chocolate milk.
• Laura’s digression on her childhood was barely noticed by her art history
students, most of whom were already asleep.
[(to) digress vi., -al adj.]